U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that Filipino nationals who have been affected by Typhoon Haiyan can apply for certain immigration benefits. This typhoon has been named “Yolanda” by the Philippine authorities.
According to the USCIS, Filipino nationals who are eligible for immigration benefits can file their applications for benefits with the USCIS. USCIS is aware of the fact that natural disasters can prevent people from maintaining their lawful immigration status in the United States and that is the reason why the USCIS is granting relief measures to those who have been affected.
Filipino nationals who hold non-immigrant visas can file applications to change or extend their non-immigrant status and remain in America. They can do so even if their authorized period of stay has expired. They can file applications to extend certain grants of parole and advance parole, made by the USCIS. Moreover, they can request for expedited processing.
F-1 students who are experiencing severe economic hardship can request off-campus employment and their applications will be adjudicated sooner by the USCIS. Immigrant petitions that the U.S. citizens and the permanent residents (green card holders) file for their immediate relatives will be processed faster. However, it must be remembered that expedited processing applies only to the Filipino nationals.
Applications for employment authorization documents filed by people affected by Typhoon Haiyan, will be processed faster. USCIS will also assist the green card holders who are victims of Typhoon Haiyan and who are unable to return to the United States, without their green cards, travel documents and other immigration papers. Such permanent residents who are stranded in places that have no USCIS offices, will be assisted by the USCIS and the U.S. Department of State.